He said that was the most serious charge police could level against him because there was no weapon or threat made.

He explained that at about 6:30 p.m., as Salem Community Theatre patrons were heading into the theater, two men took off running from in front of the theater.

One fled south on S. Lundy Ave. and the other ran east on E. State St. with the purse of a 90-year-old woman.

Casto said apparently the yelling of the people at the theater caught the attention of a group in front of the East State Street Tattoo store at 536 E. State.

"That's what got the attention of the people at the tattoo shop," Casto said, explaining that two men there took off after the purse-snatcher catching up with him in the parking lot behind Troll's Jewelry.

The two men who apprehended Souers were Will Shutler, 23, and Sheldon Brownfield, 19, both of Salem.

"They stopped him and had him detained until we got there," Casto said. "They told him to get on the ground until we got there."

Souers admitted to the theft but Casto said he refused to identify his partner.

Casto noted the other person fled in the direction of the 700 block of E. Pershing St.

Souers is currently showing five alerts on the Columbiana County Clerk of Courts website and has been in trouble with the law before for underage consumption, disorderly conduct and theft.

Casto said the victim is OK but was shaken up by the incident and her purse was returned to her.